Construction forms



Aug. 12, 1958 c. YATES ETAL 2,846,749

7 CONSTRUCTION FORMS Filed April 12, 1956 INVENTOg RICHARD C. YAT LEROY E. OWEN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,846,749. Patented Aug. 12, 1958 ice CONSTRUCTION FORMS Application April 12, 1956, Serial No. 577,798

7 Claims. (Cl. 25-418) This invention relates to apparatus adapted for use in building concrete and similar structures and more particularly to road rails and similar forms used in the building of roads, walks, curbs and the like.

Road rails and similar forms used in the construction of roads are generally fabricated from metal with a fairly large number of structural elements for the purpose of adding strength and stiffness or rigidity to the forms. Further such structural elements more likely than not comprise stake pockets for the purpose of mounting such forms to ground driven stake elements thereby securing such forms and thus preventing their vertical or tilting movements.

In the construction of roads, walks, curbs and the like, it is the usual practice to pour concrete, to the molds encompassed by the forms, to overflowing in order to insure a sufficiency. The excess concrete, in the striking or leveling off process, falls over the sides of the forms and a portion thereof is trapped by the stake pockets aforementioned. This trapped concrete is difiicult to remove and, if not removed before it hardens, becomes difiicult to remove, and in some cases may render it difficult to remove the form, transport it and install the same at a new location. The removal of this concrete from present stake pockets is most difiicult because of the nature of the pockets and their present type of construction. Stake pockets are presently made from a single sheet of metal and the sheet bent at its middle portion in a radius sufficient to encompass the driven stake. The end portions of the metal sheet are welded or otherwise secured to the metal forms. This type of construction presents an enclosed volume bounded by the two sides of the bent metal sheet and that portion of the metal form to which the ends of the metal sheet are attached. Removal of concrete from this bounded volume presents a difficult problem, particularly after the concrete is set.

The invention herein contemplates an improvement in the above type of stake pocket by providing a helical type of stake wherein there will be no volume enclosedby the boundary stake pocket and metalforrn, and no inaccessible closed or bounded space in which waste concrete or the like may accumulate. This is accomplished by the use of a novelly shaped metal sheet bent at one of its extremities to a radius sufiicient to encompass the driven stake. The other end is attached to the metal form in a suitable manner, such as by welding. Essentially, instead of having two separate side portions of the stake pocket enclosing a relatively inaccessible volume, only one complete side wall or portion exists for the stake pocket, thus enclosing no volume whatever. This means that for any spill-over of concrete, the problem of removing such spill-over is reduced to a minimum, because of its easy accessibility.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel construction form, useable as a road rail, wherein undesirable spaces in which concrete might accumulate are eliminated by a simplification of structure without sacrifice of the advantageous features of prior known constructions.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel form of the above character which is sturdy and rugged and hence capable of withstanding the shocks and stresses to which such equipment is subjected during ordinary handling and usage.

It is another object of this invention to provide a form wherein stake pockets are novelly combined with the form body and metallically integrated therewith, as by welding, in such a manner as to strengthen and otherwise advantageously supplement the same.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a form wherein stake pockets are novelly constructed and combined with the form body to provide maximum accessibility for the removal of concrete overflow.

A further object is to provide a form capable of being more easily removed after the poured concrete hardens and sets.

A still further object is to provide apparatus of the above character wherein the form body, stake pocket and stake cooperate in a novel and advantageous manner to insure more secure support for the form to prevent vertical or tilting movement thereof.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. -It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view, of a portion of one type of road rail or form embodying the present invention; I

Fig. 2 is :a horizontal sectional view with parts broken away, the section being taken substantially in a plane containing line 33 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the metal sheet from which the helical stake pocket is formed.

The invention as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, by way of example, is embodied in a single section of road rail or form adapted for use in building roads, walks, curbs or the like of concrete or similar materials. In use, a series of these sections are set up end-to-end along a desired line and grade in a manner well understood in the art to confine and support the concrete, or other material untl it hardens and thereby forms the vertical edge or side wall of the structure. These forms are subjected to rought handling and other severe shocks and stresses during use and must accordinglybe very sturdily constructed to avoid bending or twisting thereof. 011 the other hand, forms of this character should preferably be of sufficiently light weight and so constructed as to permit easy and accurate installation thereof by a minimum number of persons and in a minimum period of time. Further, the forms must be accessible to the removal of overflow or excess cement trapped or imbedded in that portion of the forms occupied by stake pockets and other support means. Lightness of weight also contributes to the ease with which the form may be sup ported by stakes in the event the same is not resting upon the ground or other support as is often the case when forms are originally installed. The novel construction of the present invention accomplishes all of these results.

In the embodiment shOWn', the form body 1 is L-shaped in vertical transverse section and comprises a vertical member 2 and a horizontal member 3 at right angles thereto as observed when the form is in normal use. Another L-shaped member 4 having members 5 and 6 is formed from vertical member 2 at the extremity there- 0 of remote from horizontal member 3 and its uppermost portion bent inwardly in a direction similar to the horizontal member and parallel thereto. In essence L-shaped member 4 comprises a channel shaped structure where in members 2 and 6 form the flanges thereof and member the web.

The present invention comprehends means novelly integrated and associated with form body 1 for simultaneously strengthening the same and affording means whereby the same may be easily and properly positioned and supported with reference to the desired line and grade of the edge or side of the structure being built, while at the same time minimizing the weight and number of component parts and advantageously locating the center of gravity of the completed form. Further said novelly integrated means provides for the elimination of cement spill-over by providing easy access thereto. Said novel means comprises a stake pocket or strap 7 stamped from sheet steel and bent to a given radius 8 at one of its extremities 9. The radius of the bend or bite 8 in the sheet is such that the inner surface thereof will closely frictionally engage the surface of a cylindrical stake 10.

Fig. 2 shows the stake pocket prior to bending as a flat metal sheet having a given configuration. The base portion thereof comprises two surfaces, one surface 11 along a horizontal plane parallel to horizontal member 3 of the form body and another surface 12 inclined at an angle with the said horizontal surface 11. The uppermost portion of the flat sheet has a continuous surface 13 parallel to the inclined surface 12 of the base portion. The flat metal sheet is bent into a radius, as aforementioned, along a bending line 14 intermediate the ends of the horizontal base portion 11 to properly form a stake pocket having a helical configuration, the helix having a beginning 24' and a termination 26. After bending to a proper radius the stake pocket 7 is disposed and integrally mounted to the form body 1, by means of welding, the welding being either continuous or intermittent. The stake pocket 7 after bending along a bending line 14, shown in Fig. 2, contains two side portions 15, 16, one of which is short relative to the other. Both stake pocket sides 15, 16 are welded at their base portion 11 to the horizontal member 3 of form 1, however leaving a portion, within the area of the bend or bight 8, protruding from the edge of horizontal member 3 of form 1, sufiicient to accommodate the driven stake member 10. The side portion 16 has its extremity in juxtaposition to vertical member 2 of form 1 and perpendicular thereto, with welding being afiected along points of contact of the said side portion 16 and member 2 either continuously or intermittently. If desired, both sides 15 and 16 of the stake pocket may extend at an angle to the face of web 2.

The integration of the form body 1 with a plurality of stake pockets 7 by welding the latter to the horizontal and vertical member portions of L-shaped form body 1 is to provide a rigid unitary structure resistive to bending or twisting. The novel construction herein makes it possible to use lighter materials and hence produce lighter forms without sacrificing essential strength. This construction also makes it possible to use only a minimum number of parts and combine the same in such a maner that the form may be easily kept free of any accumulation of concrete or other foreign materials and that such accumulation is readily removed because of its easy accessibility.

Means are provided for securing the form 1, 7 to stakes to hold the form in proper position and to support the same above the ground when necessary. As shown, said means comprise a flat wedge member 20 which slidably extends through oppositely disposed slots 22 of the stake pocket 7. The slots are so positioned in relation to the stake 10 that the wide position of the tapered member 20 may be securely wedged between the stake and the opposite ends of the slots as best seen in Fig. 3. Inasmuch as stake pocket 7 is rigidly integrated with form body 1, and is held in firm engagement with stake 10 throughout a substantial vertical distance when the wedge is driven home to the left ('Fig. 3), all of the parts will constitute a rigid unit so there cannot be any relative angular or vertical movement of the parts. In order to prevent accidental removal or loss of the wedge 20, one end thereof, for example, the right-hand end in Fig. 3, may be made wider or thicker than slots 22 and the opposite end may be provided with a bend 24, which will prevent passage of the wedge through the slot.

Although, only one embodiment of my invention has been described and illustrated, to provide a novel read form having the aforementioned objects and advantages, it is to be expressly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that various and sundry minor changes can be made in the design and arrangement of parts illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. A construction form comprising a form body having a vertical web and a flat horizontal web, and a sheet metal helical stake pocket secured to said body and comprising two side wall portions diverging toward said vertical web and a bight connecting said .wall portions, one of said wall portions being secured at one end to said vertical web above the horizontal web and extending downwards to the horizontal web adjacent the outer free edge of the latter, and both said wall portions having lower edge portions thereof secured to the upper surface of said horizontal web adjacent the outer edge only of the latter, said bight extending beyond said outer edge of the horizontal web, and the other wall portion terminating intermediate said outer edge and said vertical web and nearest the former.

2. A construction form as defined in claim 1, wherein said wall portions have aligned slots therein and comprising a wedge slidable in said slots to cooperate with a stake in said bight.

3. A construction form as defined in claim 1, wherein said side-wall portions and said bight are constituted by a single metallic sheet bent intermediate the ends thereof to form said bight.

4. A construction form adapted to be supported in position by ground stakes and comprising a form body having a vertical web and a fiat horizontal web, a helical stake pocket secured to said body comprising two sheet metal side walls diverging toward said vertical web and a bight joining the adjacent ends of said walls to receive a stake, both of said walls being secured at the lower edges thereof to the upper surface of said horizontal web adjacent the outer edge of the latter, and one of said walls extending upwardly at an angle to said horizontal web into engagement with said vertical web, and the vertical edge of said one wall being secured to said vertical web, and the said other wall terminating a substantial distance from said vertical web, said bight extending beyond the free edge of said horizontal web and said Walls having aligned slots therein, and a wedge slidable in said slots for frictional engagement with a stake in said bight.

5. In a construction form, a first L-shaped form body comprising a vertical member and a flat horizontal member, a second L-shaped member, said second L-shaped member formed from the vertical member at an extremity remote from said horizontal member and bent inwardly in a direction parallel to said horizontal member to form a channel shaped structure at said extremity, a stake pocket of helical configuration integral with said form body and consisting of a single piece of sheet metal having a base portion with a horizontal surface and an inclined surface contiguous therewith, also an uppermost portion having a continuous surface parallel to said inclined surface and wherein said stake pocket is bent along a line midway said horizontal surface to form a stake embracing bend therein and a pair of vertical sides, one short relative to the other, and wherein said vertical shortside is initiated at a point intermediate the remote edge of said form body horizontal member and said vertical member, and said vertical long side terminates in engagement with the vertical member of said form body to become integral therewith, and means for securing said stake pocket to said form body consisting of welds between said vertical member and said vertical long side and between said horizontal member and the horizontal base surfaces of said vertical sides.

6. In a construction form adapted to be secured by ground stakes, a first L-shaped form body comprising a vertical member and a horizontal member, a second L-shaped member, said second L-shaped member formed from the vertical member at an extremity remote from said horizontal member and bent inwardly in a direction parallel to said horizontal member to form a channel shaped structure at said extremity, a stake pocket of helical configuration integral with said form body and consisting of a single piece of sheet metal having a base portion with a horizontal surface and an inclined surface contiguous therewith, also an uppermost portion having a continuous surface parallel to said inclined surface and wherein said stake pocket is bent along a line midway said horizontal surface to form a stake embracing bend therein and a pair of vertical sides, one short relative to the other, and wherein said vertical short side is initiated at a point intermediate the remote edge of said form body horizontal member and said vertical member, and said vertical long side terminates in engagement with the vertical member of said form body to become integral therewith, and wherein said stake pocket protrudes laterally at its bent portion from said remote edge sufficient to embrace said stake, and means including a wedge shaped member for securing said stake pocket to a ground stake.

7. A construction form as defined in claim 6 wherein said stake pocket sides have a pair of oppositely disposed slots for the purpose of permitting access to said stake securing means.

Heltzel Jan. 27, 1920 Yates Dec. 29, 1953 

